Selena Gomez made headlines during the 2023 Video Music Awards on Tuesday night when her reaction to Chris Brown’s Best R&B category nomination went viral. While the 31-year-old artist took home the first-ever Afrobeats Award with Rema for “Calm Down,” it was her response to Chris Brown’s nomination that stole the spotlight.
When Chris was announced as a nominee for the Best R&B award for his collaboration with Chlöe on “How Does It Feel,” the camera turned to Selena Gomez. She appeared to make a visibly disapproving face while clapping and cheering for the other nominees.
Although the exact reason for Selena’s reaction remains unknown, it’s worth noting that Chris Brown, a 34-year-old rapper, has faced multiple controversies over the years, including allegations of violence, misogyny, and assault. His most notable legal issue was his 2009 conviction for physically assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna, which resulted in a five-year probation sentence and 180 days of community labor.
Selena Gomez's reaction to Chris Brown is SO FUNNY pic.twitter.com/bJyjZwmzZ9
— songs that changed history (@iconiksongs) September 13, 2023
Online, Selena received applause for her candid response to Chris Brown. One Twitter user commented, “Selena Gomez’s reaction to Chris Brown is SO FUNNY.” Another praised her for being “there for vibes and to be real AF 😭😭 she does not care here for it.” A third fan expressed their support, saying, “Selena Gomez grimacing and not clapping when a Chris Brown song was mentioned during the nominees… love her.”
Amidst the online discussions about her reaction, Selena took to her Instagram Story after the awards ceremony to address her viral status. She wrote, “I’ll never be a meme again. I’d rather sit still than be dragged for being myself.”
For those curious about the Best R&B Video category, the Moon Man trophy went to SZA for her song “Shirt,” giving Selena Gomez a reason to celebrate.
